This week’s Hotline! includes the following articles:

• President's column: Carrying it forward—and bringing it all back home again
• Times-Record to feature VCSU student work
• Foundation Office asking for help
• James named School Library Benefactor of the Year
• Bernardo presents at North Dakota Library Association conference
• Drenth receives Merit Award for painting
• Planetarium hosted over 2,600 people last year
• What in the World group hosts film screening
• Bluegrass jam at museum Saturday
• Viking Sports Update
• What’s happening at VCSU and around Valley City…

The VCSU Hotline! online newsletter is published every Monday during the academic year. Deadline to submit articles (photos encouraged) is 3 p.m. the Friday before publication.

President's Column: Carrying it forward—and bringing it home again

Homecoming—the name says it all. Members of the VCSU family travel back to campus to celebrate with former classmates and members of the VCSU community. This alumni pilgrimage to Valley City is an acknowledgment of the vital role VCSU has made in shaping who they now are. Smiles, laughter, and joy will permeate the campus and community atmosphere, and I am glad I’ll be in the thick of it all!

For current students, the festivities run all week long. The homecoming court is celebrated, and a variety of high-energy, fun events take place, strengthening their interconnectedness. This fall, the concept of a pep rally will be reintroduced, and, of course, the ultimate bonding experience will involve cheering “loud and proud” for the volleyball and football Vikings!

Alumni will have lots of opportunities to reconnect with old friends and make new friends. Some alumni, such as Hilbert “Si” Seiwert, will travel from afar to return to campus. Si once again will make the trek from California to participate in VCSU’s homecoming celebration, a journey he has made for more than 20 consecutive years! I have a list of special friends, near and far, that I will seek out for a warm embrace and cheerful conversation. Si is definitely on that list.

Homecoming is also a time to recognize the achievements of our alumni; we’ll do that at the Friday night Hall of Fame Banquet and Induction Ceremony and Saturday morning at the Alumni Honors Breakfast. Among the honorees are local residents Diane (Starr) ’73 and John Hill ’73, who will receive the Alumni Service Award, and Bryan Niewind ’00 of the North Dakota Highway Patrol, recipient of the Young Alumni Achievement Award. Viking stalwart Dave Bass ’77, assistant professor of education and faculty athletics representative, will be among those inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame. I’ll be in attendance to hear their powerful stories and the impact that they—and VCSU through them—have made in the world.

Another thing I really love about homecoming is the intergenerational conversations that occur when current students and alumni interact through meaningful activities and exchanges. Those conversations bridge the student events which strengthen their ties to VCSU with the renewal of alumni connections to alma mater.

At homecoming, part of the charge given to graduates in the commencement address becomes real: “Those feelings of nostalgia are important. They mean we’ve etched a place in your heart and mind. We want you to carry that connection with us, your alma mater, forward into your life. This commencement exercise does not mean a severance of your tie to us or the university’s tie to you. Like a good parent, its love and concern will always be with you, ready to help in any way possible.”

Homecoming is indeed steeped in memories and love for VCSU, which makes it yet another great day to be a Viking!

Times-Record to feature VCSU student work

Student work from the Communications 200 class will be featured in the Valley City Times-Record throughout Homecoming Week.

Students in Jenni Lou Russi's Introduction to Media class successfully pitched stories to the newspaper's editor, Heidi Harris, and will submit their stories throughout the week. The first article was published in the Oct. 6 sports section (page 12).

Russi has led this classroom activity for three (non-consecutive) years. VCSU students, faculty and staff have worked with staff from the Times-Record to make this project a success.

Foundation Office asking for help

The VCSU Foundation Office is seeking help for our V-500 scholarship program. According to our V-500 by-laws, we need two faculty representatives on our V-500 Board of Directors. We are thankful that Angie Wiliams is filling one of the positions. We need another member of the faculty to volunteer to fill the second position.

Anyone interested should stop by the Foundation Office. The position involves working with the rest of the board and the staff in the Foundation Office to aid in our goal of raising $90,000 during this academic year for V-500 scholarships.

James named School Library Benefactor of the Year

Donna James, Allen Memorial Library director, was recognized as the School Library Benefactor of the Year during the North Dakota Library Association (NDLA) conference Oct. 5, in Grand Forks.

This citation is awarded by the School Library and Youth Services (SLAYS) division of NDLA to a person who has made significant contributions of time, talent or financial support to advancing the role of school libraries in North Dakota. Donna was nominated for the award by four separate individuals including the Superintendent of Public Instruction for the state of North Dakota for her work in providing advanced educational opportunities for school librarians in the state.

Donna earned her Master of Library Science from Emporia State University in Emporia, Kansas and has been active in promoting school librarian education in the state of North Dakota. She led the effort to establish the Library and Information Technology concentration in the VCSU Graduate Program and was instrumental in writing and receiving three federal Institute of Museum and Library Services grants for VCSU which all promoted the education of school librarians.

Donna, a past president of NDLA (2008), has served as a school librarian for more than 20 years and has been an employee at Allen Memorial Library for 17 years. She represents the Library and Information Technology Concentration on the VCSU Graduate Council.

Bernardo presents at North Dakota Library Association conference

Al Bernardo, user services librarian at Allen Memorial Library, presented at the North Dakota Library Association annual conference Oct. 6, in Grand Forks, N.D. The NDLA annual conference brings together librarians from schools, public libraries, special libraries, and academic libraries in North Dakota. The theme of the conference was “Libraries Transform,” in conjunction with the current campaign from the American Library Association.

Bernardo’s presentation was “Transforming Library Instruction: Exploring Critical Information Literacy in a North Dakota Context.” He provided background on the growing movement for critical information literacy, which combines elements of critical pedagogy with information literacy instruction. Highlighting the absence of rural voices and contexts in the scholarly conversation surrounding critical information literacy, he then examined the implications of this practice in the rural cultural context of North Dakota.

Drenth receives Merit Award for painting

Brock Drenth, assistant professor of art, received the Merit Award in the Art Muse Contest in August for his painting titled, "August Haze." The work was created with oil paint on a 24x24 inch wood panel.

The Art Muse Contest is a international art competition held every month for artists practicing two-dimensional works. Winning artists receive cash prizes, gallery representation and exhibition opportunities.

Planetarium hosted over 2,600 people last year

From July 2016-June 2017, the Planetarium hosted 95 shows for 2,614 attendees. That number includes 18 public shows, many elementary and high school shows, college classes, preschool groups, church groups and others.

The total number of shows given since 1973 is now 3,368 for 90,976 attendees.

Wes Anderson, planetarium director and VCSU alumnus, teaches the planetarium science course each semester and is also the director of the Barnes County Museum.

If you are interested in arranging a planetarium show for your group, visit www.vcsu.edu/eventservices/vp.htm?p=3013.

What in the World group hosts film screening

What in the World is Going On? is sponsoring a film screening of "Most Likely to Succeed" Oct. 17 at 7 p.m. in Vangstad Auditorium.

The acclaimed film "Most Likely to Succeed" offers an inspiring look at what students and teachers are capable of—if we have the vision and courage to transform our schools. Area educators, administrators, parents and other interested citizens can take part in the "Most Likely to Succeed" worldwide campaign to re-imagine education. Directed by acclaimed documentarian Greg Whiteley, the film has been an official selection of two dozen of the world’s top film festivals, including Sundance, Tribeca, and AFI DOCS. It’s been featured at leading conferences on education, including ASU/GSV, SxSWedu, Harvard/GoldmanSachs, and NewSchools Venture Fund. Audience members call it the most compelling film ever done on the topic of school. In the past year, more than 2,300 communities have booked a screening of "Most Likely to Succeed."

The purpose of the screening is to foster meaningful discussion among educators, administrators, parents, and students about how current obstacles can be overcome and steps toward change can be taken on a local level. Born out of these conversations is a community-wide commitment to moving forward; transformational initiatives are undertaken and real change is ignited. District 24 legislators have been invited to take part in the discussion afterwards, as well as VC Public Schools Superintendent, Josh Johnson. Nick Archuleta, VCHS and VCSU alumnus and current president of North Dakota United will moderate the discussion.

Bluegrass jam at museum Saturday

The monthly Valley City bluegrass jam session will be held on Saturday, Oct. 14, from 1–5 p.m. at the Barnes County Museum. The acoustic-only jam is free and open to the public; beginning bluegrass musicians are welcome.

The event is sponsored by the Barnes County Museum and the Bluegrass Association of North Dakota (B.A.N.D.) For more information, call John Andrus at 701-762-4891.

Viking sports update

Football
Saturday: Dickinson State 35, VCSU 20
Viking football is now 2-4 overall, 1-3 in conference play. VCSU hosts Mayville State University on Saturday at 2 p.m. for the Homecoming Game.

Volleyball
Wednesday: VCSU 3, Mayville State 1
Friday: VCSU 3, Dickinson State 0
Saturday: University of Jamestown 3, VCSU 1
The Viking volleyball team went 2-1 in conference play this past week as they improved to 10-9 overall and 4-4 in conference play. VCSU hosts Dakota State on Wednesday night at 7 p.m.

Cross Country
The Viking men placed 3rd and the women 8th at the Jimmie Invitational on Friday. VCSU took advantage of great weather and a flat course to run some of the fastest times in school history. Dennis Gonzalez placed 6th for the Viking men and set a new conference record with his time of 25:27. He also ran the fastest time at VCSU since 1987. On the women’s side, Grace Miller placed 12th as she ran the fourth fastest time in school history with a 19:02.
View complete results
Men: www.vcsuvikings.com/article/2770.php
Women: www.vcsuvikings.com/article/2771.php

Upcoming Events
Oct. 11: Volleyball vs. Dakota State University, 7 p.m.
Oct. 14: Football vs. Mayville State, 2 p.m.
Oct. 15: Men’s Basketball vs. Brandon University, 2 p.m.

What's happening at VCSU and around Valley City...

HOMECOMING WEEK

Monday, October 9
4 p.m. 35th Annual Bill Osmon fun run, Lokken Stadium
4 p.m. Farmers Market, Shopko parking lot
5:15 p.m. Ribbon cutting, LaValle Flooring
5–7 p.m. Business After Hours, LaValle Flooring

Tuesday, October 10
12:05 p.m. Rotary, VFW

Wednesday, October 11
noon Kiwanis, VCSU Student Center
9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Gaukler Family Wellness Center One Year Anniversary
11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Free lunch, Gaukler Family Wellness Center
6 p.m. Barnes County Wildlife Federation meeting, Valley City Eagles
7 p.m. Viking volleyball vs. Dakota State University, Graichen gymnasium

Thursday, October 12
7 a.m. Optimists, Vicky’s Viking Room
11 a.m. VCSU pep rally, Graichen Gymnasium
noon Toastmasters, VCSU Norway Room
4 p.m. Farmers Market, Shopko parking lot
7 p.m. Homecoming coronation, Vangstad auditorium
8:30-10:30 p.m. Vikings for Christ, Student Center Skoal Room

Friday, October 13
Payday
2 p.m. Ice cream social, VCSU Allen Pedersen Gazebo
5 p.m. Hall of Fame Social, Valley City Eagles Club
6 p.m. Hall of Fame Banquet and Induction Ceremony, Valley City Eagles Club
7:30 p.m. Choir concert, Vangstad Auditorium

Saturday, October 14
8:30 a.m. Alumni Honors Breakfast, VCSU Student Center Cafeteria
10 a.m. VCSU baseball alumni game, Charlie Brown Field
10 a.m. VCSU softball alumni game, VCSU Softball Complex
10 a.m. Faith Lutheran fall festival, Faith Lutheran Church
10:30 a.m. Homecoming parade
11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Viking Tailgating , Lokken Stadium
2 p.m. Viking football vs Mayville State University, Shelly Ellig Field at Lokken Stadium
5 p.m. Postgame and All-Alumni social, Valley City Eagles Club
6 p.m. Glow stick walk/run, Chautauqua Park, sponsored by Sheyenne Valley Backing the Badge
9 p.m. College student and alumni dance, Valley City Eagles Club

Sunday, October 15
1:30-4:30 p.m. Tyler “TJ” Thomsen Benefit (VCSU Alumni), Valley City Eagles

Monday, October 16
4 p.m. Farmers Market, Shopko parking lot
7 p.m. Viking volleyball @ Concordia College, Moorhead, Minn.

Tuesday, October 17
12:05 p.m. Rotary, VFW

Wednesday, October 18
noon Kiwanis, VCSU Student Center

Thursday, October 19
7 a.m. Optimists, Vicky’s Viking Room
noon Toastmasters, VCSU Norway Room
4 p.m. Farmers Market, Shopko parking lot
8:30-10:30 p.m. Vikings for Christ, Student Center Skoal Room

Friday, October 20
7 p.m. Viking volleyball vs. Bellevue University, Graichen gymnasium
7:30 p.m. Instrumental concert, Vangstad auditorium

Saturday, October 21
1 p.m. Viking volleyball vs. Presentation College, Graichen gymnasium
4 p.m. Viking football vs Dakota State University, Shelly Ellig Field at Lokken Stadium
Viking cross country @ Mount Marty Invitational, Yankton, S.D.

Sunday, October 22

Go to www.valleycitynd.org/calendar.php to see more events happening in and around Valley City.